Planning a garden party is difficult, even for experts. For amateur party planners, it’s that much harder. If you’re planning an outdoor fete of your own, we’ve rounded up some of the best inspiration looks to get you started. Take baby showers. They present a unique challenge: should the design be cutesy or elegant? Valerie […]

Plant now to make this dish come summer. “It’s like sunshine on a plate,” says Valerie Rice. Padrón peppers are wonder­fully tender when blitzed on a grill, and they’re enjoyably unpredictable–most are mild, but every so often, you’ll get a hot one. See full article here: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/padron-pepper-salad-50400000133930/

A Simple, Crowd-Pleasing Spring Dish The following post was written by Valerie Rice who blogs about fresh, simple recipes at Eat Drink Garden With Valerie and is part of POPSUGAR Select Food. Full article here: http://www.yumsugar.com/Spring-Peas-Sausage-Recipe-34287207

For one Santa Barbara gardener, harvest season never ends. Here are tips from her extraordinary edible garden Growing the good life Valerie Rice’s 14 1/2- by 29-foot walled garden explodes with edibles all year. Unlike many vegetable gardens, Rice’s yard is designed for looks as well as production. Bamboo trellises turn bean vines into architecture, […]

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2014 Happy Valentine’s Day! Oh boy. This week did not go at all as planned. Breakdowns (the dishwasher and the boiler, not me), more snow, weather delays, airport hassles…..but, it’s finally the weekend. And, Valentine’s Day! My first choice for this Hallmark holiday is to be at home in front of a fire. That’s not […]

You’ll Love This Peachy-Pink Cara Cara Cocktail Cara Cara oranges are so appropriate for this season of love — “cara” translates across languages as “beloved,” “friend,” “my dear one,” and “face-to-face.” From California’s San Joaquin Valley, they’re typically in season December to April. This delightful cocktail is refreshing, tasty, and not too sweet. It’s pretty […]